North Korean state media this week highlighted an uptick in sporting events since the country declared victory over its COVID-19 outbreak.

An intramural championship circuit, youth taekwondo and Korean traditional wrestling made comebacks after being canceled or reduced in scale due to the pandemic, according to state media reports. 

The Rodong Sinmun reported that Kim Jong Un received letters from his Chinese and Russian counterparts to mark the country’s foundation day, with Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin reportedly affirming close ties to North Korea. 

Meanwhile, newspapers and TV broadcasts devoted major coverage